.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Accompanied by a Rolex pouch.
The First Daytona
The present watch holds a very special place in the history of Rolex Daytonas. Although Rolex were indeed producing chronographs since the 1930s, it wasn't until 1963 that this collection was grouped and named from its racing inspiration. The initial name, "Rolex LeMans" name was not popular and it was decided that in 1964, after the Rolex push into the American market, the name would be changed to "Daytona" - after the race held at Daytona Beach, Florida.
These rare watches, born in 1963, are also known as Mark 1. They launched the entire Daytona line, but noticeably do not have the "Daytona" designation on the dial which only came the following year. Instead, we see a small silver underline below the signature. The implication of this underline is not fully understood, but scholarship tells us it could be to mark the new use of Tritium rather than Radium on the dials. Furthermore, the dial displays the designation "Swiss" twice, once in its usual placement below 6 o'clock, and again on the edge of the dial, (not fully visible while in the case). Hence, the nickname of this early model, "Underline Double Swiss".
The counters on the dial also hold a particular variance. The running seconds hand is thinner with a flat head, whereas the hand for the chronograph are thicker with a pointed head.
In addition the the dial details, these early models display an unusual tachymeter scale on the bezel. The scale is calibrated to 300 units, instead of the more common 200 (which occurred later in approximately 1967), and in addition, the hashmarks extend all the way round as opposed to only a portion of the way round the bezel. Finally, another highly notable quality of this example is the true sign of a Mark 1 Daytona, that the inside case back is stamped 6328, not 6239.
To find this model, the very first Daytona, with all its comprehensive and extremely rare traits is an unbelievable occurrence, and one which will not be missed by the most discerning of collectors.
The First Daytona
The present watch holds a very special place in the history of Rolex Daytonas. Although Rolex were indeed producing chronographs since the 1930s, it wasn't until 1963 that this collection was grouped and named from its racing inspiration. The initial name, "Rolex LeMans" name was not popular and it was decided that in 1964, after the Rolex push into the American market, the name would be changed to "Daytona" - after the race held at Daytona Beach, Florida.
These rare watches, born in 1963, are also known as Mark 1. They launched the entire Daytona line, but noticeably do not have the "Daytona" designation on the dial which only came the following year. Instead, we see a small silver underline below the signature. The implication of this underline is not fully understood, but scholarship tells us it could be to mark the new use of Tritium rather than Radium on the dials. Furthermore, the dial displays the designation "Swiss" twice, once in its usual placement below 6 o'clock, and again on the edge of the dial, (not fully visible while in the case). Hence, the nickname of this early model, "Underline Double Swiss".
The counters on the dial also hold a particular variance. The running seconds hand is thinner with a flat head, whereas the hand for the chronograph are thicker with a pointed head.
In addition the the dial details, these early models display an unusual tachymeter scale on the bezel. The scale is calibrated to 300 units, instead of the more common 200 (which occurred later in approximately 1967), and in addition, the hashmarks extend all the way round as opposed to only a portion of the way round the bezel. Finally, another highly notable quality of this example is the true sign of a Mark 1 Daytona, that the inside case back is stamped 6328, not 6239.
To find this model, the very first Daytona, with all its comprehensive and extremely rare traits is an unbelievable occurrence, and one which will not be missed by the most discerning of collectors.